Looking for recommendations on bed and breakfasts in Chester

I’ll follow this because we’re planning to stay in Chester twice next June. We didn’t find anything close to the rail station that looked right for us. So we made reservations at the Coach House Inn and plan to take a short taxi ride from the station. It looks like it has a good location and isn’t a chain hotel. We also like interesting buildings.

Also consider taking a day trip to Conwy - which is about 1 hour west of Chester by train. This could be combined with Llandudno but also consider Bodnant Gardens which will be at their best in May - BUT could be difficult to reach using the infrequent Arriva bus 25 from Llandudno Junction rail station..
https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/10-brilliant-places-visit-conwy
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden

Dear Thomas,

Thanks very much for letting me know where you plan to stay in Chester. I checked it out on the web, and it looks very nice indeed.

Have a great trip there June! Our trip is next May. We are so looking forward to returning to England after having to postpone it for 3 years due to COVID.

Dear James,

Thank you very much for your suggestion of looking at Conwy, Llandudno, and Bodnant Gardens! I have heard so many great things and seen so many gorgeous photos of Bodnant Gardens! I just didn't know where it was. My husband and I are going to become National Trust members before our trip, so we are thrilled to get the chance to visit Bodnant Gardens!

I am intrigued by the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, so after visiting Bodnant Gardens we will head east and a little south to see the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in the Vale of Llangollen followed by the town of Chirk where we are looking forward to seeing the Chirk Aqueduct and the Chirk Castle, another National Trust property.

Thank you so much for your suggestions! They have greatly added to our trip!

While I've been to Chester a couple of times, I'd suggest looking at staying in Liverpool if that is the focus. No one knows what strikes will be happening in May of 2023, but it is worth keeping in mind. I do enjoy Chester, but it has always seemed a day trip and not somewhere I could spend multiple days on a holiday abroad.

FYI, I'd also check the London Walks website from time to time, one of the guides there did a series of virtual tours of other UK cities, Conwy and Chester were both included. They were excellent tours diving deep into history. The guide does live Rhodes Scholar tours in summer but will switch back to virtual as the seasons change and less demand for live tours

Virginia, I can’t help with locations IN Chester because in July I stayed nearby at Gladstones’s Library (I had a car) and just spent a day in Chester. From my report:

*Hawarden: Drove in at dinner time so just walked the grounds and next door church. The following day was an easy day in Chester - I took a short boat ride on the River Tay, walked the walls and the Roman Garden, and attended evensong at Chester Cathedral (should I confess it might have been my favorite?).

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: On the way from Hawarden to Manchester (ok, not on the way at all…but not far out of the way), I drove to Llangollen Wharf and took a 2 hr canal boat ride that ended after crossing the Aqueduct. Stunning. A slow relaxing ride along the canal, Welsh cream tea, crossing the VERY tall aqueduct, and an included quick bus trip back to town. This has also been on my list to see for several years, but I wasn’t expecting to get there this year. :)*

It would be pushing it to try and see Bodnant Gardens and the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct in one day from a Chester base. It is possible to do Bodnant Gardens Conwy and maybe take a look at Llandudno before returning to Chester. For buses try www.traveline.info - which might also give trains where available. Chester makes a better hub base than Liverpool for visiting these places. I did Liverpool as a day trip from Chester by local train and that was fine.

I drove to Trevor where I parked and then walked across the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct - which was incredible. Chirk Castle is about a 1.5 mile walk from Chirk station should you not have car.

Hi James,

Thank you so much for your information about Bodnant Gardens, Chirk, and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. I can see how doing Bodnant Gardens and the aqueduct in one day would probably be too much.

Based on your information, my husband and I have decided to drive our rental car from Chester to Bodnant Gardens, visit the gardens, and then drive to the town of Chirk and check into a bed and breakfast. The next morning we would then drive to Trevor and park so that we could walk the aqueduct. It does look amazing!

We will also try to take in the Chirk Castle before driving southward towards other National Trust properties close to the Wales/England border.

Have you been to any National Trust properties close to the Wales/England border?

Thank you for all of your information!

Hi Texastravelmom,

Thank you very much for your information about the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct!

My husband and I are planning to spend a night in Chirk so that we can take in this as well as Chirk castle.

Thanks again!

Hi Dale,

Thanks very much for all of your information!

It is most helpful!

Virginia